Instead of setting goals, many people carry on their daily lives in a reactive way, getting knocked and battered by the tide of events that they encounter. When things go wrong they curse their bad luck - or other people!

In reality, they don't know which way their life is headed; they don't have a plan. And let's face it, we wouldn't jump into our car and drive off towards the horizon without either a destination in mind, or a map. So why leave our future success and happiness to either random events, or worse, other people, forces that may seek to manipulate us for their own ends.

We owe it to ourselves to think about what we want out of life, to come up with a cunning plan to get it, and assuming we have BIG plans for ourselves - which we should - to break our Masterplan down into smaller goals. This is important because it allows us to measure and register our progress - and to make adjustments when things don't quite go the way we initially hoped they would.

A very popular way of goal-setting involves a method called SMART. This is an excellent method for defining goals, especially in the context of projects at work. It can also be used for personal goals, but has some limitations, the main one being that it is somewhat impersonal - detached from the individual doing the target-setting exercise.

SMART stands for:

• Specific - it is important to be precise with what exactly you are hoping to accomplish.
• Measurable - try to devise a target that can be measured somehow, and even better if you can measure it using a numerical method. This way, you will be able to say with absolute confidence whether you reached the goal.
• Achievable & Realistic - there must be a certain degree of stretch with your target, something just out of reach, but not so far away that you give up before you even begin. Also very important is to think of this goal in the present tense, as if you are already achieving it. This will activate your emotions, and allow your subconscious mind to participate in achieving the aims you set.
• Timed - set a deadline, again not so close that it is impossible to achieve, but also not so distant in the future that it really serves no purpose. Consider carefully how long other people may have taken to achieve what you want to achieve. Get the balance right. You can always reset a deadline if you get to your original date without having accomplished your goal - just always remember, before doing so, to ask yourself if the goal is still worth pursuing.

Some people also extend SMART to SMARTS where the final 'S' stands for 'Step' - always think about the last step, where you finally achieve your goal. Think about how you will know when you get there, what evidence you will be looking for, or how you will feel when you get past the finishing line. This part can be critical to the success of SMART goals, and so often gets left out!

The START Formula, as taught by Paul McKenna, takes a different approach - one which is inclusive of the individual setting the goals. START stands for: Self-Image, Target, Action, Response, Tenacity. You can see that the SMART goals system probably fits neatly into the section called Target here. On his CD "Motivation Power" McKenna expands on these points with exercises that help the listener install the correct mindset to set goals, stick to them and create successful outcomes. In summary, START stands for:

• Self Image - this is how you think of yourself, and consequently affects how others treat you. It encompasses your body language but also your continual internal "self-talk". Always try to keep these positive, as they act as subconscious cues - a kind of autosuggestion - which enable you to create positive and successful results. Try to focus on the best in yourself, and constantly remind yourself of these good times; times when things went really well for you. It allows you to employ your past successes as positive resources to empower you in reaching future goals.
• Target - make sure you have a crystal clear picture in your mind of what you are targetting. Focus relentlessly on this target and mobilize all your talents, thoughts and non-verbal traits (eg body language) to assist you in totally believing that you will reach your goal. The picture you create must be clear and it must be positive. As McKenna says, "If you put vagueness out into the world, then vagueness is what you'll get back."
• Action - do something! Just get started; it doesn't matter if it feels like bad timing, and there will never be "the perfect moment", so take a calculated risk and act! Then just keep moving forward. Don't let a day pass when you don't make at least one step forward towards your goal.
• Response - this one is extremely important. We do not live in bubbles. We are surrounded by social and economic forces, and by other people trying to reach their goals, and perhaps trying to influence us (sometimes for good, and sometimes bad). We cannot simply ignore them. We need to be very flexible, and see other people's points of view. Perhaps we can help them, and in return they can help us. But remember: never, ever forget to stay focused on your target, but accept with grace that you may need to take an unexpected route to get there. And sometimes you will respond to an outside influence and need to reestablish whether you still want to reach your original goal - or whether you need to modify it in light of new information.
• Tenacity - this means never give up. You may have responded to an unexpected situation, but if you still require the outcome you set for yourself, then keep going, or try again. Increase your rate of failure and eventually you will get to your finishing line, and may have also been presented with many other opportunities along your way.  Stay on course!

So to start making a difference in your own life, and be the success you know you are meant to be, START today!